Juvenile justice

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The, Feb, 2007

The rapid case processing of nondetained youths is important for disrupting the potential development of habitual delinquent behavior. Research cited in Importance of Timely Case Processing in Nondetained Juvenile Delinquency Cases, presented by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, revealed that many subsequent referrals of juveniles for delinquent behavior occur before the juvenile justice system has dealt with the initial or preceding referral. This suggests the need to reduce key case processing time frames. Using relevant baseline information, a court can set strategic planning targets, case processing time goals, and other performance criteria that can increase the speed of case handling and improve outcomes.

The Juvenile Delinquency Guidelines (JDG), recently prepared by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, emphasize timely response at all stages of case processing, including those stages that precede or do not include formal court involvement. The guidelines address the stages of arrest/referral, intake screening, informal processing, formal processing, and disposition. Based on the JDG recommendations, this bulletin discusses how to handle caseload backlogs and how to define "timely" case processing and identify and obtain the data required to measure it. A model for setting case processing time standards is presented, followed by descriptions of some realistic and affordable options for juvenile courts to consider in expediting the processing of nondetained juveniles. The options pertain to youth courts; accountability boards, community justice committees, and community courts; timely intervention for status offenders; school-based intake probation officers; fast-track diversion; juvenile assessment centers; mental health system liaisons; and expedited dockets. The bulletin concludes with descriptions of seven basic steps for improving timely court processing of nondetained delinquency cases. This report is available by contacting the National Criminal Justice Reference Service at 800-851-3420.